Saddam

Critiques [Translate]

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• jasmis (325)
• [2004-11-08 7:33]
• [+]

Too late, no idea why you decided to upload this shot. Everybody has TV and has already seen Saddam.

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• ywho79 (568)
• [2004-11-08 8:45]

Ummm..... I'd give you 2 pts for Osama instead..

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• SylFondacci (14032)
• [2004-11-08 9:22]
• [+]

Sorry but I don't understand the interest of posting this shot ... Could you explain your intentions in a note ???
Sylvie

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• Jlvenne (1079)
• [2004-11-08 9:59]

No interest.

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• Pamela (1290)
• [2004-11-09 8:36]
• [+]

I agree with all people bellow. I don´t understand this. Please , write your reasons in a note.

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• shel (178)
• [2005-06-06 10:07]
• [2] [+]

If it is a valid purpose of photography to not represent objective reality, but instead to translate the subjective impressions of the photographer, then it could be argued that this photograph has more validity than the almost countless, near identical photos of flowers found here. Or full frame photos of domestic pets. Or sunsets.
Well done, an image that, although criticised (as against critiqued), attracted attention and got people actually thinking about it. That is as good a commendation for a photo as you can get in the opinion of some :)
regards,
Sheldon (shel)

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• ElSato (77)
• [2005-06-14 8:26]
• [2] [+]

Akshay,

I tend to disagree with the people who've commented so far. I think that there is something valuable in this photograph.

Yes, many of us have seen Saddam on television, but there can be a big difference between simply seeing something in the course of daily life, where you hardly think about it, and seeing it in an artistic context, which causes you to consider it more closely.

This is part of the reason that an objet trouvé, such as Duchamp's bottle rack, can be a perfectly ordinary thing when it is in its daily place being used to dry bottles, but becomes something else, something more, when Duchamp selects it and gives it a different role. It's the same object, but with a change of context its meaning can change as well.

There are many possible themes that your photograph invites us to think about: the role of television in society, the political importance of placing the captured Saddam on television, and the gap between the image of Saddam as seen on television and the reality of the flesh and blood man (there are many others).

Personally, I like this shot, for all the reasons I've just given and on purely aesthetic grounds.

Lee

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• drymd29 (7603)
• [2005-06-16 3:10]
• [+]

The photograph touches something in our feelings on humans and politics. This is what happens in music, paintings AND in photography. A characteristic of art.
Good note from Akshay

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• fireflyz (769)
• [2005-08-01 18:18]

This is a great effect without using any software. Thanks for posting Akshay! Ignore the people who are blinded by their pride.
Regards,
Skye